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Rod Stryker’s Biography

Yogarupa Rod Stryker is the founder of ParaYoga® and the author of The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom. He has taught for more than 35 years, dedicating his life to improving lives through his lectures, writing, creativity, leadership, service and family life.

After decades of study, intensive practice and apprenticeship with internationally-renowned Yoga masters, Rod founded ParaYoga® to create a resource for the time-tested wisdom of the yoga tradition. As part of ParaYoga’s Master Training program, he recently launched one of the most comprehensive online yoga teacher trainings in the world.

Renowned for his depth of knowledge, practical wisdom, and unique ability to transmit the deepest teachings to modern audiences, Rod is a leading spokesperson for living a life of purpose, fulfillment and freedom on two fronts. One, he offers accessible wisdom and practices to wide audiences, those who simply want to live more joyfully and effectively; he is also a leading authoritative source for experienced students and teachers of yoga and meditation. Rod is mentor to hundreds of teachers and thousands of students worldwide.

The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom by Rod Stryker

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Comments

This podcast is a gem! From the time tested wisdom of yoga now emerges a sane conversation about loving ~ how two may become one in a sustainable, nourishing relationship that elevates all. The conversation about drug use and spirituality is equally important and beautifully illuminated. As as student of both of you, I see you as brothers-by-another-mother and look forward to more shared conversation. Any chance you two can start a Boot Camp for Good Men?

I’m impressed with Rod’s knowledge. There is however, always an issue when a philosophy is constrained and monetized into self-help. I’m wondering if John is a christian, and how he squares this with Tantra, which is essentially a non-theistic approach (at least not a monotheism).

Wow! What a blessing time I had listening to you two. Some people might asked themselves .
“How do you know when somebody resonates with the truth and when they are bullshitting their way through?” the answer is… Does that ring true to you? If it does, there is your answer. But meditation helps one to understand this, that is one of the immediate rewards it offers… To understand what I humbly called “The power of intention”.
I love you too guys, your contribution is a treasure to our world!

John, I only recently discovered your work through the book Eat Wheat which I find totally fascinating (I am really grateful for it).

This podcast was a cold shower for me, a reminder that no one has all the answers.

It is quite obvious that you know vert little about Ayahuasca and most likely you never experienced it first hand. I would assume the same about Rod. Please correct me if I am wrong.

A few examples.

You keep conflating Ayahuasca and drugs. Ayahuasca is one of the most effective ways to treat addiction, look up the work of Dr Gabor Mate for example. “drugs” means different things to different people and implying that Ayahuasca is just another drug is dead wrong.

You say that we don’t need some external chemicals, that we have all we need. First, you are reducing Ayahuasca to a chemical. It is a ceremony, it is process, it is an intelligence, it is a connection to nature in general. Second, even the chemical aspect, nothing wrong to use them, you are selling many supplements which are only chemicals after all. Another way to look at it, it is a very humbling experience, the fact that you are part of nature is central to the experience. The stance that you have everything you need inside you while true in some contexts in other could point to the fact that you are disconnected.

Rod states that the experience you have on Ayahuasca is not a spiritual experience. How would he know that? Isn’t this similar to the attitude of all dogmatic religions, that only they have the one truth and everyone else must be wrong at best (dangerous and evil being next)?

An interesting fact that was mentioned is that psychedelics have been used for spiritual development in India and that that practice stopped at some point. This is the case with all major religions, all of them at the origin are based on some plant medicine (a lot of that is still present as empty ritual). Major religions have disconnected us from many things, the general trend was to turn as away from nature. Not sure why, eventually we will figure this out, but it is possible that the same trend affected India as well. Not as a conspiracy, but as a general developmental stage of humanity,

Yes, you are right that using plant medicines can be dangerous and difficult. We are reconnecting to long lost practices. But instead of dismissing it maybe you can try and truly understand it and offer complementary practices. We need both our left and right hands at this time.

Yes! I’m a long time yogini and now a yoga teacher. I just had a tantra weekend and am looking to integrate that experience into my yoga practice. This is exactly what I needed to hear in order to stay on my path. I have had ecstasy with asana and meditation and want to share that with another. You could say I had a left handed experience to know that it is possible from my right handed path. Good to know as I stay the course. That shortcut without continued grounding would be much like a drug experience and lead no where. ~Namaste

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of John Douillard. They are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, and they are not intended as medical advice. They are intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of John Douillard and his community. John Douillard encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.